Senior Boys Basketball: valuable lessons from 1-point loss

After a see-saw battle against Esquimalt High School on Thursday afternoon, the Brentwood Senior Boys basketball team will learn some valuable lessons in the wake of a disappointing one-point loss to the Ravens. Fresh from a surprising win over #5 ranked, and AAA powerhouse, Oak Bay High School, Esquimalt came into this match brimming with confidence. The Ravens, fast and well coached, and Brentwood played basket for basket throughout the game. After a shaky first quarter, Brentwood settled down at the defensive end of the floor and traded baskets with the Ravens. The first half ended in a 32-32 deadlock. Foul troubles put the opposition on the line with great regularity. Missed offensive opportunities by the Brentwood team meant that Esquimalt stayed close. In the fourth quarter, Brentwood finally started to execute effectively at the offensive end of the floor, forging an 8-point lead with under three minutes to play. Turnovers, however, allowed the Ravens to pull within two points with 8 seconds remaining. Brentwood's attempt at an inbounds play was thwarted by Esquimalt, who scored on a foul shot with 1 second remaining. With an opportunity lost and disappointment for the Brentwood team, the post-game message was clear: a good defensive effort for three quarters, but a failure to execute the offence with precision and discipline was costly. The silver lining, however, is that the loss comes during the pre-season. The team's disappointment is already being replaced by a determination to improve. As the old saying goes, teams learn more from a tough loss than a close win. Brentwood plays Mark Isfeld High School today at 4:30 p.m. at Mt. Douglas High School.